Cover Song
Hollywood Undead - SCAVA
Only in death does duty end
Chapter One
The Shadow Lands, House Kimaris
The Underworld was once an untamed realm where terrifying creatures and vile beasts wandered unchecked and unspoiled. It would forever be altered by the arrival of Samael and his 72 Pillars.
Each of Samael's children scoured the Underworld, dominating territories with their demonic powers and creating dominions that differed from one another in both size and majesty.
The lands of Gremoris are a lush countryside where all levels of Devil Society can flock to its pastures for safety or work. House Gremory has presided over these territories and has become, in essence, a beacon of stability for its wayward society.
The frozen wastes of Seracan are dominated by House Sitri, where the most sophisticated Nobles constantly delve into the arts of arcane science from within the confines of their towering spires. They test the boundaries of real space to understand the secrets their enigmatic homeland contains.
From the island fortress of Agreas to the fiery plains of Beliarus, the 72 Pillars have governed the Underworld in a unified front before a civil war destroyed this unity. Clans that once took up arms for their Satan overlords now strike out against them in a rage that has not been seen since the Great War.
Many Houses have sought to maintain their neutrality with minimal success. The clans with a dominating influence were forced into choosing a side either by circumstance or strength of arms.
However, one realm remains separated from the brewing civil war consuming the Underworld.
It is a dominion of unimaginable scale, in command of an inexhaustible Legion that tames the eldritch terrors that roam its shadows. Its darkness serves as an indomitable deterrent to those foolish enough to venture into the twilight searching for the wonders that lie underneath its surface.
The Shadow Lands is a place not for the faint of heart, and those suicidal enough to stumble into its territories must take heed of who owns this seemingly vicious landscape.
Many of the 72 Pillars once entered this domain in an attempt to dominate the shadows, but only one succeeded in mastering it.
The 66th Demon called Kimaris.
None may walk this land without the guidance of a Kimaris Clan member lest the Chimeras prowling in the desolate fields tear them into pieces or the tendrils of darkness drag them into the endless night.
In the untold millennias since the foundation of Lucifer's 66th Pillar, none have tread upon the Shadow Lords domain without his permission or supervision.
However, there are those chosen few who have bested the lethal shadows and basked in the glory of House Kimaris' teeming and magnificent countryside that contrasts the inhospitable environment surrounding it.
These intruders would be so captivated by the divergent land that they would be left at the mercy of the Shadowlands' invincible Legion.
For generations, the 66th Legion has defended their homeland with a fervor that rivals the tenacity of Samael's Despoilers.
No matter the odds, the Blackguard of House Kimaris have never been found wanting.
Under Lucifer's command, none of the Legions genuinely held his admiration more than the 66th 'Blackguard' under Cedric Kimaris.
The Shadow Lord executed Samael's will without hesitation or failure, and his death was a consequence of warfare and not the failings of the 66th.
The Legion still patrols their ancestral home, and while their numbers pale in comparison to their former grandeur. They are still a potent fighting force that scours unwanted outsiders and deviants alike.
An impenetrable darkness has always shrouded these lands, and not even the prestigious clans of Bael, Agares, Sitri, and the long-defunct house of Lucifer have ever pierced its protective veil.
A veil that continues to withstand the test of time and the foolish insurrections of outsiders.
Cedric watched his Legion scour another attempt by Rizevim's lackeys to breach the lands of shadow with mild amusement.
For the last several decades, the children and followers of Samael have been at each other's throats.
The Descendants of Cedric's former Masters, in their arrogance, chastised their underlings so utterly that the 72 Pillars took up the sword against them in a fury.
A Civil War has ravaged the underworld to the point that House Kimaris has been forced to choose a side for a conflict they had no desire to fight.
Cedric wanted no part in dying for the old regime, nor did he have any desire to die for a cause led by Zekram Bael and his lackeys.
Alas, in a time of war, everyone must decide their loyalties, and the Renegades was lucky to receive his assistance.
"My Lord." A monotone voice belonging to Cedric's many attendants called out to him. "It is time."
"So it is." Cedric turned towards his red-skinned companion, clad in the blackened carapace of the 66th Legion Honor Guard. "Eleamus, prepare my armor."
"As you command." A raised hand stopped the attendant from turning away.
"Where is my family?" Cedric inquired sternly.
"The Birthing Chamber," Eleamus answered. "Your son is almost here. If I may, I suggest you make haste for the chamber before you miss your son's arrival. Lady Elerin may not be in a forgiving mood, and we do have a war to win."
"As you say, old friend." Cedric watched his oldest companion exit his private chambers with amusement.
Only Eleamus would ever be so cheeky with him.
It didn't take Cedric long to find the Birthing Chamber, even in the maze that was his home. All he had to do was follow the anguished screaming of his first wife as his son made every attempt to prolong his own delivery.
Leaning against the chamber door with a stern expression were two of his eldest daughters, Jade and Ghislaine, a magnificent yet lethal pair of temptress's who exalted the virtues of House Kimaris.
For they are the shadows to the light.
Ghislaine was the welcomed consequence of a fling during the Great War's final millennia. Her Nekoshu traits showed brightly as her bushy tail swished back and forth in anticipation of her newest sibling. The pair of bright crimson eyes set firmly in her sockets reminded Cedric of her mother more times than he could count.
It's a shame she had passed not long after Ghislaine's birth.
Standing not far from his second oldest daughter is his eldest Jade. Her luscious black hair falls to just above the small of her back, revealing a lean and seductive countenance. A pair of emerald eyes are set graciously within their sockets, glancing to the barely restrained glee of her half twin sisters Rose and Sapphire.
The twins were a rowdy pair who practically lived off their antics around the castle, and their exploits left many of his guards and attendants exasperated. They were barely five years of age and already causing problems for everyone in the clan.
Sapphire, contrary to her name, retained hazel-blue eyes with pink hair done up in two buns on either side of her head.
Her sister also possessed the same eye color, but that's where the similarities ended. In contrast to her twin, Rose had thick, stark white shoulder-length hair with crimson red at the tips. She already showed signs of a significant growth spurt and stood three inches above Sapphire.
Both of them would no doubt lead all his daughters in broken hearts and shattered bones. Cedric pitied the fools or fool who managed to vie for their attention because they would be in for a lengthy and infuriating life.
A furtive glance alerted Cedric that his final offspring was missing.
Or at least that's what she wanted him to believe.
"RAARGHH!" A pair of tiny hands wrapped around his head with a sharp blade pressed against his throat. Cedric could practically feel the amusement rolling off of Jade and Ghislaine as their twelve-year-old sister attempted a faux assassination of their father.
"Surrender and die!" That's not precisely how Cedric taught her to demand an enemy's capitulation, but it was a work in progress.
"Now, now Christiana." The Master of House Kimaris batted away the jagged blade and snatched his daughter by the scruff of her neck. "This is not the time or place to be playing our little game. Your brother will be here soon."
The little devil hung from his fingertips, allowing him an unabated view of his daughter's pouty facial expressions. Much like her younger twin sister Rose, Christiana possessed thick shoulder-length hair baring the crimson red tips and pale grey orbs.
Christie, as her sisters call her, was seconds away from a random tirade before Ghislaine disciplined her with a light strike to the back of her head.
"Keep calm, you little monkey." The Hybrid chastised as Christie rubbed her pulsing skull. "Now grab your sisters and hope your mother doesn't see you acting up."
"Speaking of," Jade chimed in softly, eyes never leaving Elerins laboring form. "Where is Arwen?"
Cedric's second wife, Arwen Kimaris, was the mother to Christie and the twins. Her absence was temporary at best, but keeping track of one another was difficult with the castle in its current state.
"She'll be here," Cedric replied heartily. "Elerin will kill her if she misses Cyrus's birth."
His eldest offspring perked at the name, eyes searching for deception in his crimson orbs. When neither found their father lying to them, Ghislaine was the first to speak her mind.
"I didn't think you decided on a name yet?" Cedric sent a cursory glance to both his daughters.
"Do you disapprove?"
"Nope." Both Jade and Ghislaine echoed their sentiments in unison, subtly exchanging objects between one another. Both his eldest daughters had a bad habit of gambling, and he had hoped they would set aside their pride in favor of the brother's arrival.
A false hope for two devils whose lust was only eclipsed by their pride.
Cedric wished he'd sent a female attendant to retrieve them for training during their 'prolific' activities, which quickly escalated into a more…..expansive engagement.
Since those wanton acts of unrestrained lust, he ensured the pair of them would never waste his precious time again by imparting upon them a painful lesson of etiquette.
"Sorry, I'm late." A dainty hand snatched Cedric's own, and a familiar intoxicating fragrance graced his surroundings.
Arwen Kimaris was an ethereal beauty much like her sister wife, Elerin. Both were former members of the long-deceased Valefor Clan, and they were his pride and joy for the majority of his lifetime.
Like most Devils, he valued power above all else and mixing the blood of Kimaris and Valefor provided potent offspring. The fact Cedric was able to snatch both daughters of the Malephar for his own without complaint from the other Clans spoke volumes of House Kimaris' power.
"You're just in time by the sounds of it." Arwen had a sly smile cross her face as the screams of labor began to subside. Cedric dragged his second wife towards Elerin's bed, pushing aside the nursing attendants just in time for them to see the newest addition to their family.
Elerin's flowing black hair pooled around her pillows as she held a precious bundle of quiet life in her arms. Rose and Sapphire bounced on their feet, climbing onto the bed and pawing at their youngest siblings' delectable cheeks. Christie did her best to restrain herself, but she was little better than her younger sisters.
"He's beautiful," Arwen commented softly, eyes dancing with a deep fondness for Elerin's youngest and only son.
A cursory glance towards his eldest daughters allowed Cedric the rare opportunity to witness their eyes light up with intense affection. Jade and Ghislaine were hard women to please as their Blackguards could abide by, but his son had found a key to their guarded hearts with his presence alone.
Cyrus was going to be good for this family.
Cedric only hoped he would get to see it, but Elerin didn't seem to care in the slightest for the coming battle turning her arms towards the twins in a barely restrained sense of joy.
"Come here, little ones. That's your little brother." Sapphire and Rose each sported innocent smiles while providing his cheeks. " Cyrus is one of us, a precious gift and a substantial responsibility. You must always be good to him, always take care of him, understand?"
A beaming Christie joined the twins, and it didn't take long for the rest of the Kimaris family to gather around their newest addition with motions and words that could only be described as loving.
On that night, Cyrus Kimaris was born into a world of Devils and Angels.
What no one could ever truly understand was that Cyrus Kimaris was not your average pureblood, and his actions would dictate not just the course of Devil history but also all three factions.
For in those crimson orbs laid the memories of a life dedicated to protecting the beating hearts of humanity.
In those eyes laid a Spartan with an indomitable willpower hardened by years of struggle, genocide, and war. The scale of which surpassed even the brutal imaginations of the most bloodthirsty demons.
A Headhunter was born that night, and the world would learn to embrace the darkness.
Not in fear.
But in adulation.
For where there is light, there is shadow. The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.
This is a story that a friend of mine and I were shooting the shit while tossing ideas around. How would a Spartan/Headhunter possibly navigate a world where reality is constantly breaking and humanity is subjugated to the whims of greater powers. Even worse how would he navigate it while born to a race that thrives off potent emotions that he has learned to curtail.
I'll tell you what, this story will be a doozy to write frequently down the road. But I have my own major fic to finish first so this one will be updated at random junctions much like the YJ one.
Enjoy this little teaser.
